Why travelling by coach is the smart, stylish and most sustainable way to see Europe

Once dismissed as a dreary alternative to the glamorous world of aviation, travelling by coach is enjoying a resurgence as holiday makers seek to cut costs and carbon emissions. According to the Coach Tourism Association (CTA), more people are choosing to travel by road – especially when it comes to crossing the continent.

“Travel by coach is a more sustainable way to travel, with less emissions per person than any other mode of travel except Eurostar,” says Ashley Dellow, head of retail sales at the Leger Shearings Group.

Leger, which specialises in upmarket coach tours, reports its top-selling escorted tours are to northern France and northern Italy. The company also operates a specialist Battlefields division, offering tours to key First World War sites.

Dellow says there are many reasons why coach travel is regaining popularity. Convenience is one of the main factors, with passengers taken care of from the minute they step onboard at an easy meeting point.

“There’s no driving, looking for parking, no hanging around in airport terminals and no lugging luggage around,” he says. “Passengers can sit back, relax and watch the scenery, or enjoy onboard entertainment systems with no stress!”

Comfort is another consideration. Leger’s Luxuria coaches feature armchair style seats, seat back TV monitors with entertainment systems, USB ports and refreshments onboard.

Insight Vacations also recently announced a new 100-plus fleet of exclusively created ‘business class’ coaches throughout Europe and the USA in 2025. Each passenger will have up to 90-110cm leg room (55% more than standard) and reclining seats will have footrests and charging units.

As more and more travellers seek affordable luxury, coach travel could be the surprise holiday of choice.

Three coach journeys to try in Europe in style…

Proving coach travel is far from being a cut-price experience, this glamorous trip visits boutique hotels in Geneva and ascends the Simplon Pass for superb views over the Alps, continuing onward to Lake Maggiore and St Moritz. An eight-day Glorious Switzerland trip costs from £3,950pp, including B&B accommodation and private transfers. Visit insightvacations.com

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but you can still pack a lot of Italy’s greatest glories into a fortnight. Visit Renaissance highlights including Lake Garda, Venice, Pisa, Florence and Siena. A 12-day Picturebook Italy tour costs from £1,399pp, including half-board accommodation and transfers. Visit leger.co.uk

Hop across the Channel for a quick and affordable dip into the food, history and artistic beauty of northern France. Marvel at mirrored masterpiece Versailles, gorge on cheese in Camembert and see the water lilies immortalised by Monet at Giverny. A five-day tour costs from £589pp, including B&B accommodation and transfers. Visit leger.co.uk